The utilization of techniques providing elemental analysis, i.e. distribution of elements in cross section of bio-specimens, can reveal important information. There is a direct dependence between the pathological neurodegenerative diseases and the abnormal accumulation of trace inorganic elements (such as Fe, Zn, Cu, etc.) as presented in several studies. We have chosen laser ablation based techniques, namely LIBS and LA-ICP-MS, for their advantage of fast multi-elemental analysis with fine spatial resolution on a large scale. In the case of biological samples, paraffin and epoxy embedding or cryo-cutting is necessary. Our main objective will target the optimization of two key analytical steps, i) the process of sample preparation and ii) parameters of laser-sampling analysis, in order to yield maximum possible analytical performance (repetition rate, resolution, and sensitivity). This project will significantly contribute to our long-term goals focused on basic research in biological applications and will serve as a starting line for further related experiments.

Keywords
Laser spectroscopy, bio-samples, bio-analysis, protocol optimization, sample pretreatment